Brief history of Meteorites in South Carolina

Charles Upham Shepard, a professor at South Carolina Medical College in Charleston became the state’s first known meteorite expert. Shepard started his personal meteorite record in 1843 with the Bishopville Meteorite. Today, South Carolina claims only six known meteorites (out of 1,530 in the United States).

I think I found a meteorite what should I do before I call??....please read this page completely.

How do I identify a meteorite?

Meteorites can be identified in three basic ways:

1. Using a magnet on a string, the meteorite will sway or attract to the magnet.

2. Comparing the weight to an earth rock of the same size, the meteorite is very heavy.

3. Observing the exterior of the meteorite, the meteorite should have shiny black crust, areas of rust, and indentions like a thumb leaves in clay.

Meteorite with Black Crust
Photo credit: Eric Twelker

Fake Meteorite with Vesicular Holes.  These types are often very light in weight and do not attract to a magnet.
Photo credit: Geoffrey Notkin

Fake Meteorite called Slag.
Slag is a man-made metallic by-product runoff from smelters. They are commonly mis-identified as meteorites.
Photo credit: Ken Newton

To Learn More Visit:

Meterorite.org

Aerolite.org